×

Magnetic field generator and detector position indicator

  • US 5,434,500 A
  • Filed: 07/26/1993
  • Issued: 07/18/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A position locator comprising:

  • sending unit means for generating a magnetic field from an alternating current source, the sending unit means comprising a casing having a front end;

    a coil positioned within the front end of the casing;

    a switch in electrical communication with the coil; and

    a plug in electrical communication with the switch, whereby the plug can be engaged to an alternating current power source to permit alternating current to flow through the coil to generate a magnetic field radiating therefrom;

    a magnetic field detecting means for detecting a magnetic field generated by the sending unit means and for indicating a position of the magnetic field detecting means relative to the sending unit means, the magnetic field detecting means comprising a substantially square main body having four corners with a first coil mounted to the main body proximal to a first corner thereof, a second coil mounted to the main body proximal to a second corner diagonally opposite the first corner, a third coil mounted to the main body proximal to a third corner thereof, and a fourth coil mounted to the main body proximal to a fourth corner diagonally opposite the third corner of the main body;

    a first comparator means in electrical communication with the first coil and the second coil for generating a first comparative signal corresponding to a voltage output of the first coil relative to a voltage output of the second coil;

    a first AND gate means in electrical communication with the first comparator means for generating a first AND gate signal corresponding to the voltage output of the first coil relative to the voltage output of the second coil;

    a first LED means in electrical communication with the first AND gate means and electrically communicable with a power source for illuminating when the voltage output of the first coil is substantially higher than the voltage output of the second coil;

    a second AND gate means in electrical communication with the first comparator means for generating a second AND gate signal corresponding to the voltage output of the first coil relative to the voltage output of the second coil;

    a second LED means in electrical communication with the second AND gate means and electrically communicable with a power source for illuminating when the voltage output of the second coil is substantially higher than the voltage output of the first coil;

    a second comparator means in electrical communication with the third coil and the fourth coil for generating a second comparative signal corresponding to a voltage output of the third coil relative to a voltage output of the fourth coil;

    a third AND gate means in electrical communication with the second comparator means for generating a third AND gate signal corresponding to the voltage output of the third coil relative to the voltage output of the fourth coil;

    a third LED means in electrical communication with the third AND gate means and electrically communicable with a power source for illuminating when the voltage output of the third coil is substantially higher than the voltage output of the fourth coil;

    a fourth AND gate means in electrical communication with the second comparator means for generating a fourth AND gate signal corresponding to the voltage output of the third coil relative to the voltage output of the fourth coil; and

    a fourth LED means in electrical communication with the fourth AND gate means and electrically communicable with a power source for illuminating when the voltage output of the fourth coil is substantially higher than the voltage output of the third coil, whereby the sending unit means can be positioned on a first side of a wall, with the magnetic field detecting means being positionable on a second side of the wall, wherein the LED means of the magnetic field detecting means cooperate to indicate a position of the magnetic field detecting means relative to the sending unit means.

View all claims
  • 0 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×